Let's see, all the normal things I guess; good guy, native New
Yorker. Is there something specific you'd like to know?

So after years of enjoying the freelancer's life (spending a few
months one winter in Australia, few months in Indonesia the next, a
quick trip to South America for a few weeks when the mood struck) I
“buckled down” and two years in I’m still trying to figure out how
so many people do this full time job thing.

I guess I can’t really complain about a decent gig and there are
certainly worse towns to be “stuck” in. Hey, now I finally have the
time to take that Spanish class I’ve been meaning to forever. Well,
I should have the time, but it’s New York, time has a (often
wonderful) way of getting away from you.

What else can I say that’s relevant here... For my birthday my
friends always seem to give me either books or booze. What do you
think that says about me?

I could have (and admittedly at first did) written out a long,
"Hornbyesqe" list here in order to impress you with how unique and
esoteric my tastes are, but you wouldn't have read it anyway.

I will however take the opportunity to answer the question in
regards to some categories that weren’t listed, but perhaps should
have been.

These days I think Podcasts are probably as relevant as any
of these. This American Life, Radio Lab (anyone else going to the
BAM show?), Savage Love, Studio 360, The Moth, The Nerdist, Fresh
Air (especially when Dave Davies is guest hosting. Sorry Terry),
Creative Screenwriting, Morning Becomes Eclectic, KEXP Song of The
Day, Planet Money Leonard Lopate/Brian Lehrer...

How about Poetry? Burning In Water Drowning In Flame, Frost,
Cummings, Tennyson, Ferlinghetti...

And as for favorite foods, most anything spicy. Not so much
for sweets.

I can and at points have done without all of these of course, but
if I don't have to I wouldn't want to:

1. Something good to read.
2. Good food.
3. Strong coffee.
4. Good bourbon (or gin when it's warmer out, such as now).
5. Good music.
6. Do I really need 6? I guess I’ll say NPR - I got the messenger
bag this drive. What did you get? Besides peace of mind, of
course...

At the moment I'm also absurdly excited that Bill Moyers is back on
the air, too.